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Pneumococcal vaccine: clinical efficacy and effectiveness

J S Schwartz

    Annals of Internal Medicine
    |February 1, 1982
    PubMed

    Insights

    Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines are effective in healthy individuals and those with sickle cell anemia. Further research is needed for other high-risk groups to guide vaccination decisions.

    Area of Science:

    • Immunology
    • Infectious Diseases
    • Vaccinology

    Background:

    • Streptococcus pneumoniae causes significant illness and death, particularly in individuals with chronic diseases.
    • The available polyvalent polysaccharide vaccine targets 14 serotypes responsible for 80% of pneumococcal bacteremia.
    • Vaccine efficacy has been demonstrated in healthy young men and sickle cell anemia patients, but results in other high-risk groups are inconclusive.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To review the efficacy of the pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in various populations.
    • To inform decisions regarding vaccine use in high-risk groups based on available evidence.

    Main Methods:

    • Literature review of studies on Streptococcus pneumoniae incidence, severity, and vaccine efficacy.
    • Analysis of antibody production in response to polysaccharide antigen vaccination.

    Main Results:

    • The vaccine is effective in immunologically competent individuals who can produce homotypic antibodies.
    • Efficacy trials in healthy young men and sickle cell anemia patients yielded positive results.
    • Trials in two other high-risk populations produced inconclusive outcomes.

    Conclusions:

    • Vaccinate high-risk, immunologically competent patients who can mount an antibody response.
    • Continue investigating disease burden, serotype distribution, and immune responses in high-risk groups.
    • Implement postmarketing surveillance for all vaccinated individuals.

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